Lena Dunham arrived in an awkward pink confection and Kerry Washington went for a bright orange dress with dark sparkle peeking out from underneath, but it was the reds and blues that dominated the Emmy Awards carpet.

And neutrals, too.

On Team Red were best actress in a comedy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who looked a bit pinched in a tight Carolina Herrera, and Christina Hendricks in a gaudy, one-shoulder Marchesa with yards and yards of draping fabric, loud floral embroidery at the waist and a plunging neckline.

Julia Roberts, at 46, had fashion observers near speechless as she showed off her legs in a bubbly beaded mini in deep blue. Keke Palmer, of The Trip To Bountiful, wowed in a blue cobalt trumpet-shaped gown from Rubin Singer. Layers of fabric skimmed the gown, and a structured strapless bodice was cut in a deep V.

Baby bumps were represented too, Hayden Panettiere (who announced it was a girl) lovingly stroked her belly in a metallic fitted gown. Amanda Peet, pregnant with her third child, was in an empire-waisted floral.

Kerry bucked the colour trend in fitted orange Prada with a high slit and beaded front pleats.

"I saw it hanging there and I knew it was a contender," she said. "I threw it on during a lunch break when I was shooting Scandal and fell in love."

Sofia Vergara, always a red carpet stunner, went for a more classic look in a fitted white Roberto Cavalli gown with a space age-y bodice that showed less of her cleavage than usual.

Allison Janney, who won best supporting actress in a comedy for her Mom role, looked anything but - her velvet magenta gown seriously hugged her in all the right places.

"I love this dress because it makes me look like I have the tiniest waist. I put this on and everyone was like, 'Done!'," she said.

Taylor Schilling and her Orange Is The New Black crew walked early - Taylor dressed in a lighter-than-air, pale halter gown with subtle sparkle and fellow cast member Uzo Aduba in strapless red.

Uzo, who is Nigerian-American, has been having big fun in fashion. Earlier this month, she won a Creative Arts Emmy for her role as Crazy Eyes.

"I wanted something beautiful," she said of her custom Christian Siriano.

Laverne Cox, another of the show's co-stars, chatted on the carpet in a caped, white gown by one her favourite designers, Marc Bouwer. Fred Leighton diamonds were sewn into the dress that sported a chest-baring neckline.

Robin Wright decided against a dress altogether. She wore a Ralph Lauren Collection custom silk jumpsuit in cream with a tuxedo-style front and wide open back to her waist.

Kit Harington of Game Of Thrones represented early for the men, wearing a serious scowl like his character and sporting a top-knot.

Host Seth Meyers arrived at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles to cheers and well-wishes from fans.

Seth and Jesse Tyler Ferguson of Modern Family were two early arrivals on the red carpet.

Jesse showed up in a black double-breasted suit and o thers spotted included Colin Hanks, nominated for drama series Fargo, Christine Baranski from The Good Wife, Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live and Kate Mulgrew from Orange Is The New Black.

"This is my first Emmys in 40 years. The feeling is indisputably a festive one," said Kate, whose other famous TV part was as Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager.